Atlanta streetcar testing to begin

Testing begins Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, on the 2.7-mile initial Atlanta Streetcar route, to be served by four Siemens S70 streetcars.

The city hopes to commence revenue operation on the line by year's end, but must qualify crews and test equipment performance and safety measures prior to operating on a daily basis.

Initial testing will use Car No. 1003, to be towed into position. The car will be pulled along the route to ensure proper clearances for the track and for the 12 station (or location) stops, according to local media. Speed will be limited to 5 mph in the initial test phase.

The Atlanta Police Department will escort the vehicle along the route. Motorists are being advised that "rolling closures" will occur along the route during testing, with traffic delays a possibility.